The bike is the same Trek Domane that he debuted in the race back in 2012 (when he also won), featuring the Isospeed decoupler that is built into the junction between the top tube, seat tube, and seatstays, allowing each to rotate independently in order to improve comfort (a technology that has also made its way onto the new Trek Madone).

Watch: Fabian Cancellara’s Trek Madone

However a rider with a nickname like Spartacus deserves a custom paintjob, meaning an all black finish with (fans of historical accuracy look away now) a Greek Hoplite helmet adorning the head tube. There is also what looks like a small gold plaque on the top tube and stem, with the words “Tony M” and the symbol of a pistol, so Tony Martin should know that he’s in for a rough ride as he embarks on his first cobbled Classics campaign.

Cancellara also opted for 25mm FMB tubular tyres at Strade Bianche, rather than the Veloflex tyres that he uses on his Madone aero bike, while the Swiss rider stands alongside Alberto Contador as one of the few riders in the peloton to still use mechanical rather than electronic gears with his Shimano Dura-Ace groupset.